Janet Fieldhouse, 'Sister Crossing' 2023

Описание: We are thrilled to begin the new year by introducing you to Janet Fieldhouse, a Kalaw Lagaw Ya/Meriam Mir woman and acclaimed multidisciplinary artist, based in Cairns, Qld. Janet has exhibited throughout Aus and has works in major collections across Australia as well as internationally. Janet uses ceramic techniques, often creating hand-built forms, to reinterpret and represent cultural practices, symbols, and artistic traditions of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islander) women. Janet evokes the old ways through new interpretations by shifting cultural association into rich artistic expression realigning what it means to be a Zenadth Kes woman today.

Janet created the beautiful 'Sister Crossing' sculpture outside the Embassy, along 16th Street and can be seen from our atrium space. 'Sister Crossing' is the protector, a deity, a magical vessel of power embodying ideas of identity, exchange and understanding across First Nations’ cultures in Australia and the US. The constellation on the figure is important to First Nations’ people, indicating seasonal change and time of safe navigation, hunting and gathering, while also connecting us to the night sky that envelops us all. A sea turtle engraved into the figure is the totem of Janet’s great grandmother and symbolises the ancient technique of scarification. The feather adornment denotes ceremonial dance and celebration, bound by weaving as a metaphorical connection to memory and passing down of culture. The figure stands on a canoe referencing seafaring journeys and ocean between Australia and the US. The lower portion of the canoe has mangrove roots for growth and renewal, and connecting to Janet’s grandfather’s birthplace, Badu Island. Janet notes the inversion of the mangrove roots look like leafless winter trees in the US, connecting the seasonal opposites of the northern and southern hemispheres.

Artwork:
'Sister Crossing', 2023
(Cast Aluminium, Cast Bronze, Laser Cut Corten Steel, Internal Lighting Unit)
©Janet Fieldhouse Sister Crossing, 2023.
Courtesy of the artist and Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne

This artwork commission was supported by Agency Projects and UAP.

Video by Timothy Hiller Photography